Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.6
3.6
Journals
Agriculture
Special Issues
Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery
share announcement

Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 December 2023) | Viewed by 17294

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mustafa Ucgul

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Interests: discrete element method (DEM); agricultural machinery design; tillage; soil mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Chung-Liang Chang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung County 91201, Taiwan
Interests: artificial intelligence; mechatronics; internet of things; edge computing; signal processing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural production is essential to deal with the issue of food supply, which is one of the main problems in modern societies. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations), the food demand in the world may increase by 70% by 2050. Broadacre farming enables large-scale crop production and is vital to producing abundant food. Machinery systems used in broadacre farming also significantly affect crop production. Therefore, designing and improving more effective machinery systems and components used in broadacre farming have become critical in meeting this demand. Increasing the cost of energy, fertilizer, chemical, and labour has also pushed farmers and the agricultural industry to design and develop more efficient systems to reduce the cost of production (to increase profit) and hence to make agricultural products affordable for consumers. Additionally, protecting the environment and enhancing the health of the soil using novel agricultural techniques to make agricultural production sustainable is also desired.   

This Special Issue aims to collate innovative papers that significantly contribute to the design and application of modern agricultural machinery systems in agriculture. It welcomes original research and review papers from different research fields, including but not limited to tillage, seeding, fertilizer, harvest, tractors, and control and automation systems used in agricultural production.

Dr. Mustafa Ucgul
Prof. Dr. Chung-Liang Chang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agricultural machinery
  • tillage
  • spraying
  • seeding
  • tractors
  • automation and control in agriculture
  • sustainable agriculture

Published Papers (16 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

26 pages, 11097 KiB  
Article
Design and Optimization of a Mixed-Flow Drying Chamber for Tiger Nuts Based on CFD-DEM Heat and Mass Transfer Model
by Li Ding, Yufei Dou, Junying Li, Tan Yao, Aobo Ma, Yechao Yuan, Lele Wang and He Li
Agriculture 2024, 14(4), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040541 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 626
Abstract
In order to solve the problem of inconsistent moisture content in particles during the drying process of tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus) due to uneven air flow and temperature distribution in the drying chamber, an open-hole corner box was designed based on the principle [...] Read more.
In order to solve the problem of inconsistent moisture content in particles during the drying process of tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus) due to uneven air flow and temperature distribution in the drying chamber, an open-hole corner box was designed based on the principle of negative pressure micro-perforated air supply. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element method (DEM) simulation, coupled with the basic theory of interphase heat and mass transfer, a mathematical model for interphase heat and moisture coupling transfer was established. The effects of different aperture rates of corner boxes in the drying chamber, spatial location arrangement, and other related variables on the airfield distribution, temperature field distribution, tiger nut temperature, and moisture content changes were investigated. The results show that the average air velocity below the air inlet gradually increases as the opening ratio increases. When the opening rate is 0.33%, the wind field uniformity is better, and the inhomogeneity of the drying chamber wind field is improved. As the lateral distance increases, the consistency of the moisture content distribution increases and then decreases, and the flow rate of the tiger nuts gradually increases when the grain is discharged. The rate of decrease in water content decreases gradually with the increase in longitudinal distance. When the wind speed reaches 4 m/s, the drying chamber wind field is more uniform, and the water vapor diffusion efficiency at the outlet is basically the same. Therefore, the appropriate corner box has a horizontal distance of 320 mm and a longitudinal distance of 420 mm, providing a basis for the design of tiger nut drying equipment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 7276 KiB  
Article
Field Sprayer with Application Rate Control Using Fast Response Proportional Valves under Variable Speed Conditions
by Hayrettin Karadol, Ali Aybek, Mustafa Ucgul, Hamza Kuzu and Mahit Gunes
Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030361 - 23 Feb 2024
Viewed by 632
Abstract
In modern agriculture, which is characterised by dynamic field environments, challenges are faced in maintaining consistent application rates due to varying tractor speeds, field conditions, and certain calibration errors. Conventional control systems, which rely on slower valves, have difficulty adapting to these dynamic [...] Read more.
In modern agriculture, which is characterised by dynamic field environments, challenges are faced in maintaining consistent application rates due to varying tractor speeds, field conditions, and certain calibration errors. Conventional control systems, which rely on slower valves, have difficulty adapting to these dynamic field conditions. By contrast, the integration of fast-acting proportional valves improves the precision and flexibility of flow rate adjustment during spraying applications. This research focused on evaluating the accuracy of spraying applications under different tractor speed conditions through field experiments and data analysis. This study involves a field sprayer with boom wings divided into right and left sections, where the flow rate of the liquid to each section is controlled by proportional valves with a 3 s full opening and closing time, dependent on speed information. Using a closed-loop control system consisting of a flow meter, proportional valve, and PLC, the valves are controlled by the PLC’s internal PID blocks. Observations reveal that as the tractor speed increases to a certain level, the system effectively adjusts the application rate close to the target value and maintains control against the changing ground speed during all field tests. The study included five different application tests, with target application rates of 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 L ha−1, with each repeated three times, resulting in a total of 15 field tests at different ground speeds. During these tests, the data were meticulously recorded every second, covering the tractor speed, flow rate, and pressure values for both right and left boom sections, along with regulator pressure, proportional valve opening rates, and application rates. The durations for each application rate were documented alongside instances within specified periods where error boundaries of ±10% were exceeded. During the total test duration of 9734 s, the actual application rate value exceeded error boundaries during only 209 s. Within the application durations, the speed variation intervals ranged from 5.10 to 10.23 km h−1, 4.64 to 9.91 km h−1, 3.68 to 7.89 km h−1, 4.80 to 8.21 km h−1, and from 4.90 to 8.69 km h−1. The absolute percentage mean application errors were recorded as 2.81%, 2.68%, 2.28%, 2.14%, and 2.51% for respective application rates. Furthermore, statistically significant correlations (p < 0.01) were identified among the variables (speed, valve opening rate, flow rate, pressure) in both the right and left boom sections across all application rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 17925 KiB  
Article
Robust Guidance and Selective Spraying Based on Deep Learning for an Advanced Four-Wheeled Farming Robot
by Chung-Liang Chang, Hung-Wen Chen and Jing-Yun Ke
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010057 - 28 Dec 2023
Viewed by 959
Abstract
Complex farmland backgrounds and varying light intensities make the detection of guidance paths more difficult, even with computer vision technology. In this study, a robust line extraction approach for use in vision-guided farming robot navigation is proposed. The crops, drip irrigation belts, and [...] Read more.
Complex farmland backgrounds and varying light intensities make the detection of guidance paths more difficult, even with computer vision technology. In this study, a robust line extraction approach for use in vision-guided farming robot navigation is proposed. The crops, drip irrigation belts, and ridges are extracted through a deep learning method to form multiple navigation feature points, which are then fitted into a regression line using the least squares method. Furthermore, deep learning-driven methods are used to detect weeds and unhealthy crops. Programmed proportional–integral–derivative (PID) speed control and fuzzy logic-based steering control are embedded in a low-cost hardware system and assist a highly maneuverable farming robot in maintaining forward movement at a constant speed and performing selective spraying operations efficiently. The experimental results show that under different weather conditions, the farming robot can maintain a deviation angle of 1 degree at a speed of 12.5 cm/s and perform selective spraying operations efficiently. The effective weed coverage (EWC) and ineffective weed coverage (IWC) reached 83% and 8%, respectively, and the pesticide reduction reached 53%. Detailed analysis and evaluation of the proposed scheme are also illustrated in this paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3157 KiB  
Article
Stress Simulation on Four-Bar Link-Type Transplanting Device of Semiautomatic Vegetable Transplanter
by Sri Markumningsih, Seok-Joon Hwang, Jeong-Hun Kim, Moon-Kyeong Jang and Ju-Seok Nam
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010042 - 26 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 710
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the stress exerted on a four-bar link-type transplanting device using two distinct methods: stress measurement performed during a field test and stress simulation. A field test is conducted to measure stress using a strain gauge [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to analyze the stress exerted on a four-bar link-type transplanting device using two distinct methods: stress measurement performed during a field test and stress simulation. A field test is conducted to measure stress using a strain gauge positioned at 15 specific points on the transplanting device. Subsequently, the measured strain data are converted into calculated stress data. In another method, stress is simulated using specialized multibody dynamic simulation software. The simulation results are compared with the stress measured during field tests to verify the simulation model. Based on the results, the maximum stress derived from the simulation correlates with the measured results, although notable discrepancies are shown, particularly at strain gauge positions 11 and 13. The maximum stress derived from the simulation is used to calculate the static safety factor of the transplanting device. The peak stress derived from the simulation aligns with the measured results, although significant discrepancies are observed at positions corresponding to strain gauges 4 and 10. The maximum stress (150.82 MPa) is observed on the link of the transplanting device, and the static safety factor determined via the simulation is 1.39. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 8429 KiB  
Article
Stress Simulation on Cam-Type Transplanting Device of Semiautomatic Vegetable Transplanter
by Sri Markumningsih, Seok-Joon Hwang, Jeong-Hun Kim, Moon-Kyeong Jang and Ju-Seok Nam
Agriculture 2023, 13(12), 2230; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13122230 - 01 Dec 2023
Viewed by 954
Abstract
Stress measurements play a crucial role in safety analyses of transplanting devices. Strain gauges for stress measurements during field tests can be expensive and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to investigate the stress on the transplanting device of a cam-type semiautomatic [...] Read more.
Stress measurements play a crucial role in safety analyses of transplanting devices. Strain gauges for stress measurements during field tests can be expensive and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to investigate the stress on the transplanting device of a cam-type semiautomatic vegetable transplanter using a simulation method. A three-dimensional simulation model was established, considering the dimensions and material properties of the transplanting device. The stress distribution and maximum stress values were obtained through simulations. The maximum stress values at 15 points within the transplanting device determined via the simulation were compared with the experimental stress data to verify the stress simulation model. The results show that the maximum stress obtained from the simulation correlated with that of the measured results, although differences were observed at different locations, particularly at strain gauge positions 11 and 13. Based on the simulation results, the maximum stress occurs at the upper link of the cam-type transplanting device, reaching a magnitude of 201.21 MPa, and the static safety factor is 1.04. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 13099 KiB  
Article
Design and Experiment of Uniform Seed Device for Wide-Width Seeder of Wheat after Rice Stubble
by Weiwen Luo, Xulei Chen, Mingyang Qin, Kai Guo, Jie Ling, Fengwei Gu and Zhichao Hu
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112173 - 20 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1011
Abstract
When wide-width sowing wheat after rice stubble (WRS) in a rice-wheat rotation area, there is a problem of poor uniform of seed distribution. To solve the problem, this study designed the seed distribution plate (SDP) structure and optimized its critical structure parameters. Firstly, [...] Read more.
When wide-width sowing wheat after rice stubble (WRS) in a rice-wheat rotation area, there is a problem of poor uniform of seed distribution. To solve the problem, this study designed the seed distribution plate (SDP) structure and optimized its critical structure parameters. Firstly, combined with the operating principles of the wide-width seeder and the agricultural standards for WRS, the main structural parameters affecting seed movement were determined by a theoretical analysis of seed grain dynamics and SDP structure. Secondly, the operational performance of six different structures of SDP under different structural parameters was compared using discrete element simulation technology. The structure of SDP most suitable for WRS wide-width seeding and the value ranges of key structural parameters that have a significant impact on the coefficient of the variation of seed lateral uniformity (CVLU) were determined. Finally, the pattern and mechanism of the influence of key structural parameters of SDP on the CVLU were analyzed. The optimum parameter combination was obtained and a field validation test was conducted on this. The results showed that the anti-arc ridge and arc bottom structure (S6) is more suitable for the agronomy standards of WRS wide-width seeding. The chord length of ridge, installation inclination, angle between the chord and tangent of the end of ridge line (ACT), span, and bottom curve radius are determined as the key structural parameters affecting the CVLU, and there is a lower CVLU (42.8%) when the ACT is 13°. The primary and secondary order of the influence of each factor on CVLU is the chord length of the ridge, span, installation inclination, and bottom curve radius. The corresponding parameter values after optimization are 140 mm, 40°, 75 mm and 50 mm, respectively. A field test was conducted on the SDP after optimizing parameters, and the CVLU was 30.27%, which was significantly lower than the CVLU before optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 10051 KiB  
Article
Precision Location-Aware and Intelligent Scheduling System for Monorail Transporters in Mountain Orchards
by Shilei Lyu, Qiafeng Li, Zhen Li, Hengmao Liang, Jiayu Chen, Yuanyuan Liu and Huixian Huang
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112094 - 03 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 834
Abstract
This study addressed the issue of the real-time monitoring and control of the transporter in a mountain orchard terrain characterized by varying topography, closed canopy, shade, and other environmental factors. This study involved independent research and the development of a series of electric [...] Read more.
This study addressed the issue of the real-time monitoring and control of the transporter in a mountain orchard terrain characterized by varying topography, closed canopy, shade, and other environmental factors. This study involved independent research and the development of a series of electric monorail transporters. First, the application requirements of “Where is the monorail transporter?” were examined, and an accurate location-aware method based on high-frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) technology was proposed. In addition, a location-aware hardware system based on STM32 + RFID + LoRa was designed to determine the position of the monorail transporter on a rail. Second, regarding the application requirements of “Where is the monorail transporter going?”, a multimode control gateway system based on Raspberry Pi + LoRa + 5G was designed. An Android mobile terminal can obtain operational information about the transport plane in real time through the gateway system and remotely control its operation. The track-changing branch structure enables multimachine autonomous intelligent avoidance. Based on the experimental results of monorail transporter positioning in mountain orchards under various typical terrains, such as flat surfaces, turning paths, and uphill/downhill slopes, the road section average relative error of the 7ZDGS–250-type monorail transporter was 1.27% when the distance between benchmark positioning tags was set at 10 m on both flat and turning roads, and that of the 7ZDGS–300-type monorail transporter was 1.35% when the distance between benchmark positioning tags was set at 6 m uphill/downhill. The road section relative error of the 7ZDGS–250-type monorail transporter was 21.18%, and that of the 7ZDGS–300-type monorail transporter was 9.96%. In addition, the experimental results of monorail transporter communication control showed that the combination of the multimode control gateway control system and track-changing branch structure can achieve multimachine cooperation and autonomous avoidance function, ensuring that multiple monorail transporters can operate simultaneously without collision. The findings of this study establish the communication link of “monorail transporter-gateway system-control terminal” and form a precise positioning and real-time control scheme applicable to the operating environment of monorail transporters, thereby improving the intelligence and safety of mountain orchard monorail transporters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 7806 KiB  
Article
Safety Analysis of Fastening Device of Agricultural By-Product Collector in Various Ground Conditions
by Jeong-Hun Kim, Markumningsih Sri, Seok-Joon Hwang, Moon-Kyeong Jang, Seung-Jun Kim, Yun-Jeong Yang and Ju-Seok Nam
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112064 - 27 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 754
Abstract
In this study, to evaluate the safety of the fastening device, which is a vulnerable part of the agricultural by-product collector, the stress in fastening devices was measured, and the operational and driving safety were analyzed by deriving the static safety factor and [...] Read more.
In this study, to evaluate the safety of the fastening device, which is a vulnerable part of the agricultural by-product collector, the stress in fastening devices was measured, and the operational and driving safety were analyzed by deriving the static safety factor and fatigue life. The position with the maximum stress in fastening devices was identified through structural analysis simulation, and a stress measurement system was constructed using strain gauges. Test conditions for stress measurement were classified into three operating conditions (collection operation, driving with the loading part lifted to the highest point, and driving with the loading part lifted to the lowest point) and three soil conditions (even pavement, sloped pavement, and farmland). A process for deriving the fatigue life based on the measured stress was constructed by applying the rain-flow counting method, Goodman equation, and Palmgren–Miner’s rule via commercial software. From the stress measurement results, the collection operation exhibited the highest maximum stress, followed by driving with the loading part lifted to the highest point and driving with the loading part lifted to the lowest point. Under all conditions, the static safety factor of the fastening devices was found to be higher than 1.0 (1.16–1.33). The fatigue life of the fastening devices was also found to be longer than the service life of Korean agricultural machinery under all operating conditions. Therefore, the fastening devices are expected to operate safely under generated static and dynamic loads. The agricultural by-product collector can perform agricultural work and drive stably and is expected to contribute to reducing unnecessary labor force for Korean farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 10772 KiB  
Article
Simulation of Mouldboard Plough Soil Cutting Based on Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics Method and FEM–SPH Coupling Method
by Xiaoming Jin, Fangping Ma, Di Wang and Zhengtao Zhu
Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1847; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091847 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1101
Abstract
In the field of agricultural machinery, various empirical field tests are performed to measure the tillage force for precision tillage. However, the field test performance is costly and time-consuming, and there are many constraints on weather and field soil conditions; the utilization of [...] Read more.
In the field of agricultural machinery, various empirical field tests are performed to measure the tillage force for precision tillage. However, the field test performance is costly and time-consuming, and there are many constraints on weather and field soil conditions; the utilization of simulation studies is required to overcome these shortcomings. As a result, the SPH method and the coupled FEM-SPH method are used in this paper to investigate the mouldboard plough–soil interaction. In this paper, the finite element software LS-DYNA was used to build the SPH model and the FEM-SPH coupling model of soil cutting, as well as to investigate the change in cutting resistance during the soil cutting process. The simulation results are compared with those of the experiments, and the curves of the simulation and experiment are in good agreement, which verifies the reliability of the model. The validated simulation model was used to investigate the effects of the cutting speed, depth of cut, inclination angle, and lifting angle of the mouldboard plough on cutting resistance. The simulation studies show that the SPH model takes 5 h and 2 min to compute, while the FEM-SPH coupled model takes 38 min; obviously, the computational efficiency of the FEM-SPH coupled model is higher. The relative errors between the SPH model and the experiment are 2.17% and 3.65%, respectively. The relative errors between the FEM-SPH coupled model and the experiment are 5.96% and 10.67%, respectively. Obviously, the SPH model has a higher computational accuracy. The average cutting resistances predicted by the SPH model and the FEM-SPH coupled model, respectively, were 349.48 N and 306.25 N; these resistances are useful for precision tillage. The cutting resistance increases with the increase in cutting speed and is quadratic; the cutting resistance increases with the increase in cutting depth and is quadratic; the horizontal cutting resistance and the combined cutting resistance increase with the increase in inclination angle, while the vertical cutting resistance remains essentially constant with the increase in inclination angle; the horizontal cutting resistance and combined cutting resistance increase as the lifting angle increases, while the vertical cutting resistance decreases as the lifting angle increases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6425 KiB  
Article
Experimental Field Tests of the Suitability of a New Seeder for the Soils of Northern Kazakhstan
by Mubarak Aduov, Saule Nukusheva, Talgat Tulegenov, Kadirbek Volodya, Kanat Uteulov, Bolesław Karwat and Michał Bembenek
Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1687; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091687 - 26 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 798
Abstract
Kazakhstan is historically a livestock country, and the production of feed requires no less attention than the production of grain. To improve the forage base, one solution is the sowing of high-yielding fodder seeds. An experimental seeder was developed with new design solutions [...] Read more.
Kazakhstan is historically a livestock country, and the production of feed requires no less attention than the production of grain. To improve the forage base, one solution is the sowing of high-yielding fodder seeds. An experimental seeder was developed with new design solutions for the sowing machine, with three blades installed at an angle of 120° relative to the lower part of the blower shaft, deviated vertically by 8–10°, along with components with a radius vector of 10–15° and the blower shaft attached to the top of the sowing cylinder. The closing part of the disc coulter contained the press rollers with a disc diameter measuring 350 mm. The field tests were conducted with the parameters between the discs set to α = 10°, a disc vanishing point of β = 40°, a coulter angle of 32°, and an individual 320-mm press roller with a cylindrical 60-mm rim, a leash, and a section for setting the seed placement depth. The wheatgrass varieties “Burabay” and awnless brome “Akmola emerald” were sown. The research showed the higher efficiency of the experimental seeder with seeding units and sowing parts compared to a serial seeder in terms of agricultural performance. The increase in seed germination was 3.56%. The experimental seeder surpassed the regular seeder by 4.95% in terms of the depth uniformity of the seed placement, in terms of yield increase by 5.361 cwt/ha, with reductions in traction resistance of 12.3%, and in fuel consumption by 10%. The economic efficiency from the fuel reduction and yield increase was estimated at around 7700 USD/ha per year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 7326 KiB  
Article
Design and Test of Single-Disc Opener for No-Till Planter Based on Support Cutting
by Guangyuan Zhong, Hongwen Li, Jin He, Qingjie Wang, Caiyun Lu, Chao Wang, Zhenwei Tong, Dandan Cui and Dong He
Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1635; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081635 - 19 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1145
Abstract
To solve the problem of low straw-cutting efficiency of single-disc openers of no-till planters under conditions of high soil moisture content, a single-disc furrowing and straw-cutting device was designed based on the support-cutting principle. To improve the straw-cutting ability of the disc opener [...] Read more.
To solve the problem of low straw-cutting efficiency of single-disc openers of no-till planters under conditions of high soil moisture content, a single-disc furrowing and straw-cutting device was designed based on the support-cutting principle. To improve the straw-cutting ability of the disc opener when it operates under high-moisture-content soil conditions and to make sure that the straw that is not cut by the disc coulter can be cut smoothly by the disc opener, the support shovel was designed, and the operation mechanism of the support shovel device was analyzed. The soil moisture content, the support shovel’s entry angle, the support shovel’s entry gap angle, and the support shovel’s tip margin were identified as the factors influencing the device design through the theoretical analysis of the furrowing and straw-cutting device. Through the discrete element method (DEM), a single-factor simulation test was first conducted to analyze how different soil moisture contents affected the device’s ability to cut straw, and the results showed that the number of broken bonds was lowest when the soil moisture content was 20 ± 1%, and the time taken for the straw to be wholly cut off was also the longest. Then, a quadratic orthogonal simulation test was conducted to construct a regression model and optimize the parameters at the soil moisture content of 20 ± 1%, and the results revealed that the significant order of each factor’s influence on the number of broken bonds is as follows: entry gap angle, entry angle, and shovel tip margin. In addition, the device’s overall operation quality was better when the entry angle was 49°, the entry gap angle was 0°, and the shovel tip margin was 10 mm. At this time, the number of broken bonds was predicted to be 506. Finally, the simulation validation test was run, and the number of broken bonds was obtained to be 478, with a relative error of 5.6% from the predicted value. According to the optimal parameters to complete the device trial production and field test, the results show that the average cut-off rate of the device is 71.7%, the stability coefficient of the furrowing depth is 90.87%, and the performance of the furrow opening is excellent, which meets the requirements of a no-tillage seeding operation. This study can provide a reference for the design and improvement of no-tillage seeding machines under conditions of high soil moisture content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1416 KiB  
Article
Propellers Spin Rate Effect of a Spraying Drone on Quality of Liquid Deposition in a Crown of Young Spruce
by Aleksandra Pachuta, Bogusława Berner, Jerzy Chojnacki, Gerhard Moitzi, Jiří Dvořák, Anna Keutgen, Jan Najser, Jan Kielar, Tomáš Najser and Marcel Mikeska
Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081584 - 09 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1511
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the quality of spraying of ornamental conifer using a multi-rotor drone. We examined how the speed of drone movement and the propellers’ spin speed can affect the deposition quality of the sprayed liquid in the crown of blue [...] Read more.
The study aimed to assess the quality of spraying of ornamental conifer using a multi-rotor drone. We examined how the speed of drone movement and the propellers’ spin speed can affect the deposition quality of the sprayed liquid in the crown of blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.). Due to the avoidance in the future of droplet drift by air movements, an air injector atomiser for liquid spraying was used, and a low altitude of 0.6 m of the drone flying above the tree was used in the study. The drone moved at two speeds: 0.57 m·s–1 and 0.94 m·s–1. The propellers’ spin speeds were adjusted based on the drone’s weight with the spray liquid tank filled and empty. The propellers’ zero-spin rate was also included to compare the drone to a field sprayer. The tests were conducted in a laboratory setting. Volume and uniformity of liquid volume settled on the levels of samplers positioned on a tripod within the tree canopy were assessed. The samplers were placed in two zones of the tree: near the tree trunk and at a distance of 0.21 m from the trunk. Airstream speed generated by drone propellers was also evaluated inside the tree. The findings indicated that the rotations of propellers and air speed significantly influenced the quality of liquid deposition on samplers located away from the trunk. The results also showed that using a drone instead of a field sprayer could benefit the quality of the spray application. The weight of the multi-rotor drone, determined by the spray liquid tank’s filling level, can significantly impact the quality of spray deposition in the tree. Based on the investigations, it can be recommended that low-altitude spraying drones be adopted for studies and future strategies in precision agriculture using autonomous inspection-spraying drones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 18482 KiB  
Article
Discrete Element Method Simulation and Field Evaluation of a Vibrating Root-Tuber Shovel in Cohesive and Frictional Soils
by Emmanuel Awuah, Kojo Atta Aikins, Diogenes L. Antille, Jun Zhou, Bertrand Vigninou Gbenontin, Peter Mecha and Zian Liang
Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1525; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081525 - 31 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1068
Abstract
Soil-cutting forces are key indicators of root-tuber harvesters and other soil-engaging tools’ performance. To improve operational efficiency, minimise soil disturbance, and reduce fuel consumption, the draught and vertical forces involved in root and tuber crop harvesting must be minimised. Two field experiments assessed [...] Read more.
Soil-cutting forces are key indicators of root-tuber harvesters and other soil-engaging tools’ performance. To improve operational efficiency, minimise soil disturbance, and reduce fuel consumption, the draught and vertical forces involved in root and tuber crop harvesting must be minimised. Two field experiments assessed the harvester’s performance at a depth of 200 mm, varying frequencies, and travel speeds on clay and sandy loam soils. Discrete element models (DEM) were developed and subsequently used to replicate the field experiments and evaluate S-shaped and fork-shaped shovels. Linear regression and ANOVA (p < 0.05) were used to analyse the data. Draught force concurrently increased with speed in both soil textures but decreased with vibration frequency. The draught force decreased by approximately 41% in clay soil and 21% in sandy loam soil when the harvester was operated between 5 Hz and 14.5 Hz and between 10 Hz and 12.5 Hz, respectively. DEM simulations had relative errors of 4% (clay) and 4.7% (sandy loam) for draught force and drawbar power compared to experimental data. The S-shaped shovel was more efficient at crushing and translocating soil–crop mass to the rear of the harvester than the fork-shaped shovel. These DEM soil–crop models are reliable for evaluating other root-tuber harvesting tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5762 KiB  
Article
Design and Experiment of Row Cleaner with Staggered Disc Teeth for No-Till Planter
by Xin Li, Yinping Zhang, Haojie He, Bin Wang, Hua Zhou, Duanyang Geng and Yuzi Zhang
Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071373 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1067
Abstract
In view of the large amount of wheat straw coverage and the difficulty with the high-speed working process used in traditional rotary tillage row cleaner. A row cleaner with staggered disc teeth for no-till planting was designed. It was determined that installation with [...] Read more.
In view of the large amount of wheat straw coverage and the difficulty with the high-speed working process used in traditional rotary tillage row cleaner. A row cleaner with staggered disc teeth for no-till planting was designed. It was determined that installation with a forward inclination α, horizontal declination β, and forward speed v0 of the machine were the main factors affecting the straw cleaning rate Y1 and working resistance Y2, and the range of values for structural parameters and motion parameters of the row cleaner were determined. Taking α, β, and v0 as the factors and Y1 and Y2 as the response indexes, using EDEM 2018 software to simulate the straw cleaning process under different parameters and determine the influence of each parameter on the straw cleaning performance. After performing a soil bin test, the results showed that there was no straw entanglement and blockage, and the passability was better than that of the traditional flat disc separated row cleaner. When α was 70°, β was 30°, v0 was 8 km/h, and the embedded depth h of the soil (straw) was 55 mm, the average straw cleaning rate was the highest, which was 90.59%. This study provides a new idea for the design of high-speed corn no-till planters in the Huang-Huai-Hai area of China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4392 KiB  
Article
Tribological Study of Chisel Knives in Sandy Soil
by Laurențiu Constantin Vlăduțoiu, Georgiana Chişiu, Andrei Tudor, Nicolae-Valentin Vlăduț, Lucian Fechete Tutunaru, Eugen Marin and Iulia-Andrea Grigore
Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1235; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061235 - 12 Jun 2023
Viewed by 999
Abstract
This paper presents the interaction system within the mechanical soil processing process, consisting of two large elements, the metal of the tool and the soil. Due to the two main forces acting on the chisel knives—friction and impact with the sandy soil—the wear [...] Read more.
This paper presents the interaction system within the mechanical soil processing process, consisting of two large elements, the metal of the tool and the soil. Due to the two main forces acting on the chisel knives—friction and impact with the sandy soil—the wear of these chisel knives was determined. To determine the wear, a stand was used which allowed testing chisel-type knives in laboratory conditions by changing their functional parameters: working depth, angle of the knives to work the soil, working speed, humidity and granulation of the test environment. The present paper presents an application of the Archard-type wear law to the contact between a chisel-type knife and sandy soil (wet and dry sand). The theoretical model regarding the Archard wear coefficient considered three forms of surface damage (shake down, ratcheting and micro-cutting). The sand was considered spherical and rigid and the surface of the knife was flat. The experimental model considered real steel knives with different surface hardness and operation under controlled conditions of sand granulation, humidity, attack angle, depth of penetration and speed of sliding. The theoretical and experimental results highlight the wear behavior of chisel knives (Archard coefficient) in wet and dry sand. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 1271 KiB  
Review
Lateral Overturning and Backward Rollover of Agricultural Tractors: A Review
by Moon-Kyeong Jang, Seung-Jun Kim, Beom-Soo Shin and Ju-Seok Nam
Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030334 - 20 Feb 2024
Viewed by 709
Abstract
Tractor accidents caused by lateral overturning and backward rollover during agricultural activities and general driving are common. In this study, various research cases were analyzed to identify the factors influencing the lateral overturning and backward rollover of tractors and to examine their static [...] Read more.
Tractor accidents caused by lateral overturning and backward rollover during agricultural activities and general driving are common. In this study, various research cases were analyzed to identify the factors influencing the lateral overturning and backward rollover of tractors and to examine their static and dynamic stability. Studies on the analysis of the major causes of these incidents and evaluation of tractor safety were compiled. Test methods, including actual tests and simulations, were categorized, and the characteristics of lateral overturning and backward rollover safety of tractors in different studies were examined. Additionally, safety improvement measures were proposed by identifying and summarizing the causes of accidents involving agricultural machinery. Tractor safety was evaluated primarily by conducting actual tractor and simulation tests. These tests were classified into field tests, tests on scale models, spreadsheet programs, and 3D simulation programs. The primary causes of lateral overturning and backward rollover were unstable center of gravity, extremely high driving speed, and ground conditions. Given the considerable number of studies dedicated to evaluating tractor safety, various technologies aimed at preventing lateral overturning and backward rollover incidents are expected to be applied to tractors in the future. The production and testing of safe agricultural machinery are expected to contribute to a reduction in accident rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Agricultural Machinery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-16
Back to TopTop